Negative Start. Positive Finish.

My Dad came to America from Ireland when he was 19.  He had $50 in his pocket and went to work with his older brother who had immigrated a couple of years earlier.  Through lots of hard work and sacrifice, he learned how to build houses and was able to start a career and family here.  

I always thought of his story while I was growing up, in awe that he was actually one of those people who came to America looking for better opportunities, having nothing yet making something of himself and all the challenges that come with that.  You hear stories about immigrants just like him in history books and movies, but for it to actually be my father was very inspiring.  I remember thinking that I could NEVER do what he did.  I could never move and start out my adult life with nothing to fall back on.

And so, I became educated to give myself a better start.  Once I graduated with my Masters from Franciscan University, married Phil and became pregnant a month later, I realized we were in an even worse spot than my dad, the poor young immigrant, had been.  Sure, he started out with nothing, but we were starting out $80,000 in debt.  

Suddenly, starting out with nothing actually sounded good!  

7 (Really) Quick Takes

It's a rainy Friday morning - still dark but full of promise because...

1)

I woke up to this beautiful email

Nothing on the calendar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a rare treat!

2)

That means I should be able to check my long run off this week's training plan, but alas, the rain.  SO it's cross training at the gym instead.  Unless I can talk myself into running 9 miles of the dreadmill?  

Me, after mile 6, minus the happy dance.

Halloween and All Saints 2018

We've got a CIA agent & Chase, Mickey & Minnie, Iron Man & Captain America.  Brendan was not letting me put up his hood, which has Mickey's face on it.  I was frustrated and complained the whole way to the pizza shop that I didn't get a good photo...and he would never be 2 again...and I just need a good photo on every holiday...and on and on.  Why does this mean so much to me?  It's like I can just see how fleeting time is, and while I'm pretty ok with my kids growing up and moving along, I need photos from when they are young to cry into.  Moms.  Ya know?

The Book of Love (and Respect)

I am currently reading a book, For Women Only, which is designed to help women understand the mind and emotions of men.  There's also a book titled For Men Only, which helps men better understand the female species.  Phil is reading that one.  Don't worry!  Our marriage isn't in trouble!  This stuff just interests us, and since love is knowledge, the more we know about one another, the better.  Much as a physically fit athlete continues to work out, a healthy marriage continues to grow and improve when both spouses put in the work required.  

7QT: Run, Dance, Eat

It's Friday!!!!  We are heading to our kids' school's Halloween dance and Haunted stage tonight.  Andrew and his 8th grade class have been working hard on the stage, and I'm excited to get frightened!  Linking up with Kelly and the other ghouls, mwahahahaha :)

1)

Marathon training has begun!  Guys, I still really, really can't picture myself running 26.2 miles in February.  Realistically, I can see myself running another half-marathon instead.  But!  I will try and follow this training schedule, and see what happens.  So far, so good...I mean it is one of the lowest mileage weeks in the whole plan, and I've had two rest days already ;)  But tonight I'm getting my first long run done before the Nor'easter comes tomorrow.

Book, Cook, Look - A Review of What I'm Currently Reading, Eating, and Wearing {October Linkup}

UPDATED:
This will become a new monthly linkup!  Add your October post of Book ~ Cook ~ Look below.  Thanks!

Happy Feast of the great Pope Saint John-Paul.  Also known as my boyfriend.  I tell my family that IF I ever make it to Heaven, they will know where to find me because I'll be perched next to JP2.  

Is my crazy showing?

Anyway...

I don't know if this will become a regular segment around here, but I have a couple of good books in my stack, some yummy recipes we've been eating, and an outfit inspired by Walmart!  Please feel free to post your own Book ~ Cook~ Look and link up back here!  Can't wait to check you out!